Synthesis of Molecular Sieves Having MWW Framework Structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an improved method for making molecular sieves having MWW framework structure using precipitated aluminosilicates (PAS), and the use of molecular sieves so made in processes for catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon compounds.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Ser.No. 61/931,821 filed on Jan. 27, 2014, and EP 14160679.8 filed on Mar.19, 2014 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved method for making molecularsieves having MWW framework structure, particularly, methods for makingMWW framework molecular sieves using precipitated aluminosilicates(PAS), and the use of molecular sieves so made in processes forcatalytic conversion of hydrocarbon compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Molecular sieves having a MWW framework structure are commonly referredto as a “MWW family molecular sieve material”. As used herein, the term“MWW family molecular sieve material” includes one or more of:

(i) molecular sieves made from a common first degree crystallinebuilding block unit cell, in which the unit cell has the MWW frameworktopology. (A unit cell is a spatial arrangement of atoms which if tiledin three-dimensional space describes the crystal structure. Such crystalstructures are discussed in the “Atlas of Zeolite Framework Types”,Fifth edition, 2001, the entire content of which is incorporated asreference);(ii) molecular sieves made from a common second degree building block,being a 2-dimensional tiling of such MWW framework topology unit cells,forming a monolayer of one unit cell thickness, preferably one c-unitcell thickness;(iii) molecular sieves made from common second degree building blocks,being layers of one or more than one unit cell thickness, wherein thelayer of more than one unit cell thickness is made from stacking,packing, or binding at least two monolayers of one unit cell thickness.The stacking of such second degree building blocks can be in a regularfashion, an irregular fashion, a random fashion, or any combinationthereof; and(iv) molecular sieves made by any regular or random 2-dimensional or3-dimensional combination of unit cells having the MWW frameworktopology.

The MWW family molecular sieve materials are characterized by having anX-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25,3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstroms (either calcined or as-synthesized).The MWW family molecular sieve materials may also be characterized byhaving an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstroms (either calcinedor as-synthesized). The X-ray diffraction data used to characterize saidmolecular sieve are obtained by standard techniques using the K-alphadoublet of copper as the incident radiation and a diffractometerequipped with a scintillation counter and associated computer as thecollection system. Materials that belong to the MWW family include, butnot limited to, MCM-22 (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,325); PSH-3(described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,409); SSZ-25 (described in U.S. Pat.No. 4,826,667); ERB-1 (described in European Patent No. 0293032); ITQ-1(described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,498); ITQ-2 (described inInternational Patent Publication No. WO97/17290); ITQ-30 (described inInternational Patent Publication No. WO2005118476); MCM-36 (described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,250,277); MCM-49 (described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,575);MCM-56 (described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,362,697, 5,827,491, and5,453,554); EMM-10 (described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,110,176), EMM-10-P(described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,959,599), EMM-12 (described inInternational Patent Publication No. WO2010/021795), EMM-13 (describedin International Patent Publication No. WO2010/014406), and an MCM-22family material (described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,842,277). Also, UZM-8(described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,030); and UZM-8HS (described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,713,513). The entire contents of said patents andapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

It is to be appreciated that the MWW family molecular sieves describedabove are distinguished from conventional large pore zeolite alkylationcatalysts, such as mordenite, in that the MWW family molecular sievematerials have 12-ring surface pockets which do not communicate with the10-ring internal pore system of the molecular sieve.

The MWW family molecular sieves have been found to be useful in avariety of hydrocarbon conversion processes, and are especially valuablefor use in a process for producing alkylaromatics, particularlyethylbenzene and cumene, or for use in a process for oligomerization ofolefins, particularly for production of dimers, trimmers and tetramersof olefins, e.g., ethylene, propylene, butylene, or mixtures thereof.

There is a need to decrease crystallization times and to increasereactor throughput when synthesizing MWW family molecular sievematerials by currently available means. Prior efforts to decreasecrystallization time and to increase throughput met with the problem ofincreased impurity formation.

According to the present invention, it has now unexpectedly been foundthat we can significantly avoid the above problems by the use of PAS inan improved method for synthesizing MWW family molecular sievematerials. This improved method provides a MWW family molecular sievematerial product unencumbered by impurities, e.g., crystals offerrierite, kenyaite, or other non-MWW family molecular sieve materialsas identified by X-ray diffraction, with adjustment of the compositionof the crystallization reaction mixture and control of thecrystallization conditions, as detailed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method ofmaking a MWW family molecular sieve material comprising the steps of:

-   (a) preparing a reaction mixture comprising an alkali or an alkaline    earth metal (M) cation, a precipitated aluminosilicate comprising a    source of aluminum (Al) and a source of silicon (Si), a    structure-directing agent (R) and water, said reaction mixture    having a composition in terms of mole ratios within the following    ranges:    -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=10 to 600;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.001 to 2;    -   M/SiO₂=0.001 to 2;    -   R/SiO₂=0.001 to 0.5;-   (b) crystallizing said reaction mixture of step (a) under    crystallization conditions of a temperature of from about 90° C. to    about 175° C. and a time for less than 90 hours to form a resulting    mixture comprising crystals of said MWW family molecular sieve    material and less than about 10 wt. % of impurity crystals having    non-MWW framework structure based on the total weight of said MWW    family molecular sieve material in said reaction mixture, as    identified by X-ray diffraction; and-   (c) recovering at least a portion of said crystals of said MWW    family molecular sieve material from said resulting mixture of    step (b) as an as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material    having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at    12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstroms.

Preferably, said precipitated aluminosilicate is a precipitated sodiumaluminosilicate.

In one or more embodiments, said as-synthesized MWW family molecularsieve material is thermally treated by heating at a temperature of fromabout 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20hours to form a calcined MWW family molecular sieve material.

In another embodiment, said composition of said reaction mixture interms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 50;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.3;    -   M/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.3;    -   R/SiO₂=0.001 to 0.5;        wherein said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material        has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-22        molecular sieve shown in Table 1, herein.

In one or more embodiments, said as-synthesized MCM-22 molecular sieveis thermally treated by heating at a temperature of from about 370° C.to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20 hours to form acalcined MCM-22 molecular sieve having the X-ray diffraction patternshown in Table 2, herein.

In another embodiment, said composition of said reaction mixture interms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 35;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.3;    -   M/SiO₂=0.08 to 0.3;    -   R/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.35;        wherein said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material        has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-49        molecular sieve shown in Table 3, herein.

In one or more embodiments, said as-synthesized MCM-49 molecular sieveis thermally treated by heating at a temperature of from about 370° C.to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20 hours to form acalcined MCM-49 molecular sieve having the X-ray diffraction patternshown in Table 4, herein.

In another embodiment, said composition of said reaction mixture interms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 25;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.15;    -   M/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.15;    -   R/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.2;        wherein said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material        has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-56        molecular sieve shown in Table 5, herein.

In one or more embodiments, said as-synthesized MCM-56 molecular sieveis thermally treated by heating at a temperature of from about 370° C.to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20 hours to form acalcined MCM-56 molecular sieve having the X-ray diffraction patternshown in Table 6, herein.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for convertingfeedstock comprising hydrocarbon compounds to conversion product whichcomprises contacting said feedstock at hydrocarbon compound conversionconditions with a catalyst composition made by the method of thisinvention. In one embodiment, the conversion product comprisesoligomerized olefins. In another embodiment, said feedstock comprises analkylatable aromatic compound, such as benzene, and an alkylating agentsuch as ethylene, propylene or combinations thereof, and said conversionproduct comprises monoalkylated aromatic compounds, such as ethylbenzeneand cumene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 1.

FIG. 2 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 2.

FIG. 3 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 3.

FIG. 4 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 4.

FIG. 5 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 5.

FIG. 6 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 6.

FIG. 7 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 7.

FIG. 8 shows the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material products of Example 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The porous crystalline MWW family molecular sieve material is made bythe improved method of the present invention comprising the steps of:

-   (a) preparing a reaction mixture comprising an alkali or an alkaline    earth metal (M) cation, a precipitated aluminosilicate comprising a    source of aluminum (Al) and a source of silicon (Si), a    structure-directing agent (R) and water, and optionally molecular    sieve seed crystals, said reaction mixture having a composition in    terms of mole ratios within the following ranges:    -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=10 to 600, or 10 to 50, or 12 to 30;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30, or 15 to 30, or 10 to 25;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.001 to 2, or 0.1 to 1;    -   M/SiO₂=0.001 to 2, or 0.1 to 1;    -   R/SiO₂=0.001 to 0.5, or 0.08 to 0.34;-   (b) crystallizing said reaction mixture of step (a) under    crystallization conditions of a temperature of from about 90° C. to    about 175° C. and a time for less than 90 hours to form a resulting    mixture comprising crystals of said MWW family molecular sieve    material and less than about 10 wt. % of impurity crystals having    non-MWW framework structure based on the total weight of said MWW    family molecular sieve material in said reaction mixture, as    identified by X-ray diffraction; and-   (c) recovering at least a portion of said crystals of said MWW    family molecular sieve material from said resulting mixture of    step (b) as an as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material    having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at    12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstroms.

Preferably, said precipitated aluminosilicate is a precipitated sodiumaluminosilicate.

The alkali metal or the alkaline earth metal (M) cation may optionallybe incorporated into the precipitated aluminosilicate, such as, forexample, in the form of a precipitated sodium aluminosilicate.

A calcined MWW family molecular sieve material is formed wherein saidas-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material is thermally treatedby heating at a temperature of from about 370° C. to about 925° C. for atime of from 1 minute to about 20 hours.

In another embodiment, said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sievematerial has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-22molecular sieve, wherein said composition of said reaction mixture interms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=10 to 60, or 15 to 50;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30, or 10 to 25, or 5 to 15;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.5, or 0.01 to 0.3;    -   M/SiO₂=0.01 to 1, or 0.01 to 0.3;    -   R/SiO₂=0.001 to 0.5, or 0.01 to 0.34;        wherein the X-ray diffraction pattern of said as-synthesized        MCM-22 molecular sieve is shown in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10013.53 ± 0.2  m-vs 12.38 ± 0.2  m-vs 11.13 ± 0.2  w-s 9.15 ± 0.15 w-s6.89 ± 0.15 w-m 4.47 ± 0.1  w-m 3.95 ± 0.08 w-vs 3.56 ± 0.06 w-m 3.43 ±0.06 m-vs 3.36 ± 0.05 w-s

A calcined MCM-22 molecular sieve is formed, wherein said as-synthesizedMCM-22 molecular sieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperatureof from about 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute toabout 20 hours. The X-ray diffraction pattern of said calcined MCM-22molecular sieve is shown in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity, (a) I/I₀ × 100 30.0 ±2.2 w-m 2.21 ± 1.3 wmore specifically, by the X-ray diffraction pattern shown in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity, (a) I/I₀ × 100 30.0 ±2.2 w-m 22.1 ± 1.3 w  3.91 ± 0.07 m-vsand yet more specifically, by the X-ray diffraction pattern shown inTable 4:

TABLE 4 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10030.0 ± 2.2  w-m 22.1 ± 1.3  w 6.00 ± 0.10 m-w 4.64 ± 0.08 w 4.06 ± 0.07w-s 3.91 ± 0.07 w-vs

In another embodiment, said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sievematerial has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-49molecular sieve, wherein said composition of said reaction mixture interms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=19 to 35, or 15 to 35;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30, or 10 to 25;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.3, or 0.1 to 0.15;    -   M/SiO₂=0.08 to 0.3, or 0.08 to 0.15;    -   R/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.35, or 0.15 to 0.35;        wherein the X-ray diffraction pattern of said as-synthesized        MCM-49 molecular sieve is shown in Table 5:

TABLE 5 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10013.15 ± 0.26  w-s* 12.49 ± 0.24  vs 11.19 ± 0.22  m-s 6.43 ± 0.12 w 4.98± 0.10 w 4.69 ± 0.09 w 3.44 ± 0.07 vs 3.24 ± 0.06 w *shoulder

A calcined MCM-49 molecular sieve is formed, wherein said as-synthesizedMCM-49 molecular sieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperatureof from about 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute toabout 20 hours. The X-ray diffraction pattern of said calcined MCM-49molecular sieve is shown in Table 6:

TABLE 6 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10012.41 ± 0.24  vs 11.10 ± 0.22  s 8.89 ± 0.17 m-s 6.89 ± 0.13 w 6.19 ±0.12 m 6.01 ± 0.12 w 5.56 ± 0.11 w 4.96 ± 0.10 w 4.67 ± 0.09 w 4.59 ±0.09 w 4.39 ± 0.09 w 4.12 ± 0.08 w 4.07 ± 0.08 w-m 3.92 ± 0.08 w-m 3.75± 0.07 w-m 3.57 ± 0.07 w 3.43 ± 0.07 s-vs 3.31 ± 0.06 w 3.21 ± 0.06 w3.12 ± 0.06 w 3.07 ± 0.06 w 2.83 ± 0.05 w 2.78 ± 0.05 w 2.69 ± 0.05 w2.47 ± 0.05 w 2.42 ± 0.05 w 2.38 ± 0.05 w

In another embodiment, said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sievematerial has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-56molecular sieve, wherein said composition of said reaction mixture interms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 25, or 15 to 20;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30, or 10 to 25;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.05 to 0.2, or 0.10 to 0.15;    -   M/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.15, or 0.10 to 0.13;    -   R/SiO₂=0.08 to 0.3, or 0.1 to 0.2;        wherein the X-ray diffraction pattern of said as-synthesized        MCM-56 molecular sieve is shown in Table 7:

TABLE 7 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10012.4 ± 0.2  vs 9.9 ± 0.3 m 6.9 ± 0.1 w 6.4 ± 0.3 w 6.2 ± 0.1 w 3.57 ±0.07 m-s 3.44 ± 0.07 vs

A calcined MCM-56 molecular sieve is formed, wherein said as-synthesizedMCM-56 molecular sieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperatureof from about 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute toabout 20 hours. The X-ray diffraction pattern of said calcined MCM-56molecular sieve is shown in Table 8:

TABLE 8 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10012.4 ± 0.2  vs 9.9 ± 0.3 m 6.9 ± 0.1 w 6.2 ± 0.1 w 3.55 ± 0.07 m-s 3.42± 0.07 vs

The X-ray diffraction data in Table 1 to Table 8 were collected with aScintag diffraction system, equipped with a germanium solid statedetector, using copper K-alpha radiation. The diffraction data wererecorded by step-scanning at 0.02 degrees of two-theta (2θ), where theta(θ) is the Bragg angle, and a counting time of 10 seconds for each step.The interplanar spacings, d-spacings, were calculated in Angstrom units(Å), and the relative intensities of the lines, I/I_(o) is one-hundredthof the intensity of the strongest line, above background, were derivedwith the use of a profile fitting routine (or second derivativealgorithm). The intensities are uncorrected for Lorentz and polarizationeffects. The relative intensities are given in terms of the symbolsvs=very strong (greater than 60-100), s=strong (greater than 40-60),m=medium (greater than 20-40) and w=weak (0-20). It should be understoodthat diffraction data listed as single lines may consist of multipleoverlapping lines which under certain conditions, such as differences incrystallographic changes, may appear as resolved or partially resolvedlines. Typically, crystallographic changes can include minor changes inunit cell parameters and/or a change in crystal symmetry, without achange in the structure. These minor effects, including changes inrelative intensities, can also occur as a result of differences incation content, framework composition, nature and degree of porefilling, and thermal and/or hydrothermal history. Other changes indiffraction patterns can be indicative of important differences betweenmaterials, which are the case for comparing MCM-22 with similarmaterials, e.g., MCM-49, MCM-56 and PSH-3.

In one or more embodiments, said reaction mixture of step (a) comprisingsaid molecular sieve seed crystals is in an amount from greater than orequal to 0.05 wt. % to less than or equal to 5 wt. %, or in an amountfrom greater than or equal to 1 wt. % to less than or equal to 3 wt. %,based on the dry weight of said molecular sieve seed crystals divided bythe sum of the dry weight of aluminum (Al) and the dry weight of silicon(Si) in said precipitated aluminosilicate.

In one or more embodiments, said crystallization conditions ofcrystallizing step (b) include crystallizing said reaction mixture forsaid time of less than 40 hours, or from about 20 hours to about 75hours.

In one or more embodiments, said molecular sieve seed crystals exhibitthe X-ray diffraction pattern for an MWW family molecular sievematerial.

In one or more embodiments, said MWW family molecular sieve material isselected from the group consisting of MCM-22, MCM-36, MCM-49, MCM-56,ITQ-1, ITQ-2, ITQ-30, PSH-3, SSZ-25, ERB-1, EMM-10, EMM-10-P, EMM-11,EMM-12, EMM-13, UZM-8 and UZM-8HS.

In one or more embodiments, said molecular sieve seed crystals exhibitsaid X-ray diffraction pattern for said MCM-56 crystals as set forth inTable 7 or Table 8.

In one or more embodiments, wherein said structure-directing agent (R)is selected from the group consisting of cyclopentylamine,cyclohexylamine, cycloheptylamine, hexamethyleneimine (HMI),heptamethyleneimine, homopiperazine, and combinations thereof.

In one or more embodiments, said M is sodium, and said R compriseshexamethyleneimine (HMI).

In one or more embodiments, said resulting mixture of step (c) comprisesless than or equal to about 5 wt. % non-MWW impurity crystals, based onthe total weight of said MWW crystals in said reaction mixture, asidentified by X-ray diffraction.

In one or more embodiments, said impurity crystals having non-MWWframework structure is selected from the group consisting of ferrierite,kenyaite and mixtures thereof.

It is noted that the reaction mixture components can be supplied by morethan one source. The reaction mixture can be prepared either batchwiseor continuously.

Crystallization of the reaction mixture in step (b) of the presentmethod is preferably carried out under stirred conditions in a suitablereactor vessel, such as for example, polypropylene containers or Teflonlined or stainless steel autoclaves. However, it is within the scope ofthis invention for crystallization to occur under static conditions.

The useful ranges of conditions for crystallization in this method are atemperature from about 90° C. to about 175° C., preferably, from about90° C. to less than 160° C., e.g., from about 125° C. to about 175° C.,and a time for less than 90 hours, preferably, for less than 40 hours,e.g., from about 20 to about 75 hours, preferably, at a stir rate offrom about 40 to about 250 rpm, more preferably, from about 90 up toabout 250 rpm, to form a resulting mixture comprising crystals of MWWfamily molecular sieve material and less than or equal to 10 wt. %impurity crystals having non-MWW framework structure based on the totalweight of said MWW family molecular sieve material in said reactionmixture, as identified by X-ray diffraction. Thereafter, the crystals ofas-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material are separated fromthe resulting liquid mixture and recovered in step (c).

In one or more embodiments, said reaction mixture of step (b) is agedprior to crystallizing step (c) for from about 0.5 to about 48 hours,for example, from about 0.5 to about 24 hours, at a temperature of fromabout 25 to about 75° C. Preferably, the reaction mixture is aged withstirring at, for example, 50 rpm, for less than 48 hours at ambienttemperature.

Not to be bound by any theory, it has been discovered that the use ofprecipitated aluminosiliates, with or without incorporated precipitatedalkali or alkaline earth metal (M) cation, in the reaction mixture ofthe present invention permits a significant decrease in the H₂O/SiO₂molar ratio of the reaction mixture with decreased crystallization timeand increased reactor throughput while making the desired MWW familymolecular sieve material with lowered amounts of impurity crystalshaving non-MWW framework structure.

A catalyst comprising said MWW family molecular sieve material made bythe improved method herein may be used to effect conversion in chemicalreactions, and is particularly useful in a process for selectivelyproducing a desired monoalkylated aromatic compound comprising the stepof contacting an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agentin the presence of the catalyst under at least partial liquid phaseconditions. Another aspect of the present invention, therefore, is animproved alkylation catalyst comprising said synthetic, porous MWWfamily molecular sieve material made by the present improved method foruse in a process for the selective production of monoalkyl benzenecomprising the step of reacting benzene with an alkylating agent underalkylation conditions in the presence of said alkylation catalyst. Usingthe present catalyst to effect alkylation of an alkylatable aromaticcompound, the alkylating agent may include an alkylating aliphatic grouphaving 1 to 5 carbon atoms. The alkylating agent may be, for example,ethylene or propylene and the alkylatable aromatic compound in such aninstance may suitably be benzene.

The MWW family molecular sieve material made by the improved methodherein may be used as a catalyst component to effect hydrocarboncompound conversion, and is particularly useful as catalyst in a processfor selectively producing a desired monoalkylated aromatic compoundcomprising the step of contacting an alkylatable aromatic compound withan alkylating agent under at least partial liquid phase conditions. Forexample, alkylation catalyst comprising the MWW family molecular sievematerial made by the present improved method may be used in a processfor the selective production of monoalkylated benzene comprising thestep of reacting benzene with an alkylating agent such as, for example,ethylene or propylene, under alkylation conditions in the presence ofsaid alkylation catalyst.

The term “aromatic” in reference to the alkylatable aromatic compoundswhich may be useful as feedstock in a process beneficially utilizing thepresent catalyst is to be understood in accordance with itsart-recognized scope. This includes alkyl substituted and unsubstitutedmono- and polynuclear compounds. Compounds of an aromatic character thatpossess a heteroatom are also useful provided they do not act ascatalyst poisons under the reaction conditions selected.

Substituted aromatic compounds that can be alkylated herein must possessat least one hydrogen atom directly bonded to the aromatic nucleus. Thearomatic rings can be substituted with one or more alkyl, aryl, alkaryl,alkoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkyl, halide, and/or other groups that do notinterfere with the alkylation reaction.

Suitable aromatic compounds include benzene, naphthalene, anthracene,naphthacene, perylene, coronene, and phenanthrene, with benzene beingpreferred.

Generally, the alkyl groups that can be present as substituents on thearomatic compound contain from 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, and usuallyfrom about 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and most usually from about 1 to 4carbon atoms.

Suitable alkyl substituted aromatic compounds include toluene, xylene,isopropylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, alpha-methylnaphthalene,ethylbenzene, mesitylene, durene, cymenes, butylbenzene, pseudocumene,o-diethylbenzene, m-diethylbenzene, p-diethylbenzene, isoamylbenzene,isohexylbenzene, pentaethylbenzene, pentamethylbenzene;1,2,3,4-tetraethylbenzene; 1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene;1,2,4-triethylbenzene; 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, m-butyltoluene;p-butyltoluene; 3,5-diethyltoluene; o-ethyltoluene; p-ethyltoluene;m-propyltoluene; 4-ethyl-m-xylene; dimethylnaphthalenes;ethylnaphthalene; 2,3-dimethylanthracene; 9-ethylanthracene;2-methylanthracene; o-methylanthracene; 9,10-dimethylphenanthrene; and3-methyl-phenanthrene. Higher molecular weight alkylaromatic compoundscan also be used as starting materials and include aromatic hydrocarbonssuch as are produced by the alkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons witholefin oligomers. Such products are frequently referred to in the art asalkylate and include hexylbenzene, nonylbenzene, dodecylbenzene,pentadecylbenzene, hexyltoluene, nonyltoluene, dodecyltoluene,pentadecyltoluene, etc. Very often alkylate is obtained as a highboiling fraction in which the alkyl group attached to the aromaticnucleus varies in size from about C₆ to about C₁₂. When cumene orethylbenzene is the desired product, the present process producesacceptably little by-products such as xylenes. The xylenes made in suchinstances may be less than about 500 ppm.

Reformate containing a mixture of benzene, toluene and/or xyleneconstitutes a useful feed for the alkylation process of this invention.

The alkylating agents which are useful as feedstock in a processbeneficially utilizing the catalyst of this invention generally includeany aliphatic or aromatic organic compound having one or more availablealkylating aliphatic groups capable of reaction with the alkylatablearomatic compound, preferably, with the alkylating group possessing from1 to 5 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable alkylating agents are olefinssuch as ethylene, propylene, the butenes, and the pentenes; alcohols(inclusive of monoalcohols, dialcohols, trialcohols, etc.) such asmethanol, ethanol, the propanols, the butanols, and the pentanols;aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde,butyraldehyde, and n-valeraldehyde; and alkyl halides such as methylchloride, ethyl chloride, the propyl chlorides, the butyl chlorides, andthe pentyl chlorides, and so forth.

Mixtures of light olefins are useful as alkylating agents in thealkylation process utilizing the catalyst of this invention. Also, suchmixtures of light olefins are useful as reactants in the oligomerizationprocess utilizing the catalyst of this invention. Accordingly, mixturesof ethylene, propylene, butenes, and/or pentenes which are majorconstituents of a variety of refinery streams, e.g., fuel gas, gas plantoff-gas containing ethylene, propylene, etc., naphtha cracker off-gascontaining light olefins, refinery FCC propane/propylene streams, etc.,are useful alkylating agents and oligomerization reactants herein. Forexample, a typical FCC light olefin stream possesses the followingcomposition in Table 9:

TABLE 9 Wt. % Mole % Ethane 3.3 5.1 Ethylene 0.7 1.2 Propane 4.5 15.3Propylene 42.5 46.8 Isobutane 12.9 10.3 n-Butane 3.3 2.6 Butenes 22.118.32 Pentanes 0.7 0.4

For these uses of catalyst comprising the MWW family molecular sievematerial made by the present method, products may include ethylbenzenefrom the reaction of benzene with ethylene, cumene from the reaction ofbenzene with propylene, ethyltoluene from the reaction of toluene withethylene, cymenes from the reaction of toluene with propylene, andsec-butylbenzene from the reaction of benzene and n-butenes, a mixtureof heavier olefins from the oligomerization of light olefins.Particularly preferred uses of this catalyst relate to the production ofcumene by the alkylation of benzene with propylene, production ofethylbenzene by the alkylation of benzene with ethylene, andoligomerization of ethylene, propylene, butylene, or mixtures thereof.

The hydrocarbon compound conversion processes contemplated for use ofthis catalyst include, but are not limited to, oligomerization ofolefins and may be conducted such that the reactants are brought intocontact with the required catalyst in a suitable reaction zone such as,for example, in a flow reactor containing a fixed bed of the catalystcomposition, under effective conversion conditions. Such conditionsinclude a temperature of from about 0 to about 1000° C., preferably fromabout 0 to about 800° C., a pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1000atmospheres, preferably from about 0.125 to about 500 atmospheres, and afeed weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of from about 0.01 to 500 hr⁻¹,preferably from about 0.1 to about 100 hr⁻¹. If a batch reactor is used,the reaction time will be from about 1 minute to about 100 hours,preferably from about 1 hour to about 10 hours.

An alkylation process utilizing this catalyst may be conducted such thatthe reactants, i.e., the alkylatable aromatic compound and thealkylating agent, are brought into contact with the catalyst in asuitable reaction zone such as, for example, a flow reactor containing afixed bed of the catalyst composition, under effective alkylationconditions. Such conditions include a temperature of from about 0 toabout 500° C., preferably from about 10 to about 260° C., a pressure offrom about 0.2 to about 250 atmospheres, preferably from about 1 toabout 55 atmospheres, a molar ratio of alkylatable aromatic compound toalkylating agent of from about 0.1:1 to about 50:1, preferably fromabout 0.5:1 to about 10:1, and a feed weight hourly space velocity(WHSV) based on the alkylating agent of from about 0.1 to 500 hr⁻¹,preferably from about 0.5 to about 100 hr⁻¹.

The reactants can be in either the vapor phase or partially orcompletely in the liquid phase and can be neat, i.e., free fromintentional admixture or dilution with other material, or they can bebrought into contact with the alkylation catalyst composition with theaid of carrier gases or diluents such as, for example, hydrogen ornitrogen.

When benzene is alkylated with ethylene to produce ethylbenzene, thealkylation reaction is preferably carried out in the liquid phase underconditions including, a temperature of from about 150 to about 300° C.,more preferably from about 170 to about 260° C.; a pressure up to about204 atmospheres, more preferably from about 20 atmospheres to about 55atmospheres; a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) based on the ethylenealkylating agent of from about 0.1 to about 20 hr⁻¹, more preferablyfrom about 0.5 to about 6 hr⁻¹; and a ratio of benzene to ethylene inthe alkylation reactor of from about 0.5:1 to about 100:1 molar,preferably from about 0.5:1 to about 30:1 molar, more preferably fromabout 1:1 to about 10:1 molar.

When benzene is alkylated with propylene to produce cumene, the reactionmay also take place under liquid phase conditions including atemperature of up to about 250° C., preferably up to about 150° C.,e.g., from about 10 to about 125° C.; a pressure of about 250atmospheres or less, e.g., from about 1 to about 30 atmospheres; aweight hourly space velocity (WHSV) based on propylene alkylating agentof from about 0.1 hr⁻¹ to about 250 hr⁻¹, preferably from about 1 hr⁻¹to about 50 hr⁻¹; and a ratio of benzene to propylene in the alkylationreactor of from about 0.5:1 to about 100:1 molar, preferably from about0.5:1 to about 30:1 molar, more preferably from about 1:1 to about 10:1molar.

The catalyst of the present invention may be used in a variety of forms.For certain applications of the catalyst, the average particle size ofthe crystalline molecular sieve component may be from about 0.05 toabout 200 microns, for example, from 20 to 200 microns.

When used as catalyst for alkylation, the alkylation reactor effluentcontains the excess aromatic feed, monoalkylated product, polyalkylatedproducts, and various impurities. The aromatic feed is recovered bydistillation and recycled to the alkylation reactor. Usually a smallbleed is taken from the recycle stream to eliminate unreactiveimpurities from the loop. The bottoms from the distillation may befurther distilled to separate monoalkylated product from polyalkylatedproducts and other heavies.

The polyalkylated products separated from the alkylation reactoreffluent may be reacted with additional aromatic feed in atransalkylation reactor, separate from the alkylation reactor, over asuitable transalkylation catalyst. The transalkylation catalyst maycomprise one or a mixture of crystalline molecular sieves having thestructure of zeolite Beta, zeolite Y (natural or synthetic forms),mordenite (natural and synthetic forms) or an MWW family molecular sievematerial.

Zeolite Beta is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,069. Zeolite Y andmordenite occur naturally but may also be used in one of their syntheticforms, such as Ultrastable Y (USY), which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,449,070, Rare-earth exchanged Y (REY), which is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,415,438, and TEA-mordenite (i.e., synthetic mordenite preparedfrom a reaction mixture comprising a tetraethylammonium directingagent), which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,766,093 and 3,894,104.However, in the case of TEA-mordenite for use in the transalkylationcatalyst, the particular synthesis regimes described in the patentsnoted lead to the production of a mordenite product composed ofpredominantly large crystals with a size greater than 1 micron andtypically around 5 to 10 micron. It has been found that controlling thesynthesis so that the resultant TEA-mordenite has an average crystalsize of less than 0.5 micron results in a transalkylation catalyst withmaterially enhanced activity for liquid phase aromatics transalkylation.

The catalyst of the present invention may include an inorganic oxidematerial matrix or binder. Such matrix materials include synthetic ornaturally occurring substances as well as inorganic materials such asclay, silica and/or metal oxides, e.g., alumina. The latter may beeither naturally occurring or in the form of gelatinous precipitates orgels including mixtures of silica and metal oxides. Naturally occurringclays which can be composited with the inorganic oxide material includethose of the montmorillonite and kaolin families, which families includethe subbentonites and the kaolins commonly known as Dixie, McNamee,Georgia and Florida clays or others in which the main mineralconstituent is halloysite, kaolinite, dickite, nacrite or anauxite. Suchclays can be used in the raw state as originally mined or initiallysubjected to calcination, acid treatment or chemical modification.

Specific useful catalyst matrix or binder materials employed hereininclude silica, alumina, zirconia, titania, silica-alumina,silica-magnesia, silica-zirconia, silica-thoria, silica-beryllia,silica-titania, as well as, ternary compositions such assilica-alumina-thoria, silica-alumina-zirconia, silica-alumina-magnesiaand silica-magnesia-zirconia. The matrix can be in the form of a cogel.A mixture of these components could also be used.

The relative proportions of crystalline molecular sieve and binder ormatrix, if present, may vary widely with the crystalline molecular sievecontent ranging from about 1 to about 99 percent by weight, and moreusually in the range of about 30 to about 80 percent by weight of thetotal catalyst. Of course, the catalyst may comprise a self-boundmolecular sieve or an unbound molecular sieve, thereby being about 100%crystalline molecular sieve MWW family molecular sieve material.

The catalyst of the present invention, or its crystalline molecularsieve component, may or may not contain added functionalization, suchas, for example, a metal of Group VI (e.g., Cr and Mo), Group VII (e.g.,Mn and Re) or Group VIII (e.g., Co, Ni, Pd and Pt), or phosphorus.

The invention is further disclosed in the following numberedembodiments:

Embodiment 1

A method of making a MWW family molecular sieve material comprising thesteps of:

(a) preparing a reaction mixture comprising an alkali or an alkalineearth metal (M) cation, a precipitated aluminosilicate comprising asource of aluminum (Al) and a source of silicon (Si), astructure-directing agent (R) and water, said reaction mixture having acomposition in terms of mole ratios within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=10 to 600;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.001 to 2;    -   M/SiO₂=0.001 to 2;    -   R/SiO₂=0.001 to 0.5;        (b) crystallizing said reaction mixture of step (a) under        crystallization conditions of a temperature of from about 90° C.        to about 175° C. and a time for less than 90 hours to form a        resulting mixture comprising crystals of said MWW family        molecular sieve material and less than about 10 wt. % of        impurity crystals having non-MWW framework structure based on        the total weight of said MWW family molecular sieve material in        said reaction mixture, as identified by X-ray diffraction; and        (c) recovering at least a portion of said crystals of said MWW        family molecular sieve material from said resulting mixture of        step (b) as an as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve        material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing        maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07        Angstroms.

Embodiment 2

The method of embodiment 1, wherein said as-synthesized MWW familymolecular sieve material is thermally treated by heating at atemperature of from about 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1minute to about 20 hours to form a calcined MWW family molecular sievematerial.

Embodiment 3

The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein said composition of saidreaction mixture in terms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 50;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.3;    -   M/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.3;    -   R/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.5;        wherein said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material        has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-22        molecular sieve shown in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10013.53 ± 0.2  m-vs 12.38 ± 0.2  m-vs 11.13 ± 0.2  w-s 9.15 ± 0.15 w-s6.89 ± 0.15 w-m 4.47 ± 0.1  w-m 3.95 ± 0.08 w-vs 3.56 ± 0.06 w-m 3.43 ±0.06 m-vs 3.36 ± 0.05 w-s

Embodiment 4

The method of embodiment 3, wherein said as-synthesized MCM-22 molecularsieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperature of from about370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20 hoursto form a calcined MCM-22 molecular sieve having the X-ray diffractionpattern shown in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10030.0 ± 2.2 w-m 22.1 ± 1.3 w

Embodiment 5

The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein said composition of saidreaction mixture in terms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 35;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.3;    -   M/SiO₂=0.08 to 0.3;    -   R/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.35;        wherein said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material        has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-49        molecular sieve shown in Table 5:

TABLE 5 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10013.15 ± 0.26  w-s* 12.49 ± 0.24  vs 11.19 ± 0.22  m-s 6.43 ± 0.12 w 4.98± 0.10 w 4.69 ± 0.09 w 3.44 ± 0.07 vs 3.24 ± 0.06 w *shoulder

Embodiment 6

The method of embodiment 5, wherein said as-synthesized MCM-49 molecularsieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperature of from about370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20 hoursto form a calcined MCM-49 molecular sieve having the X-ray diffractionpattern shown in Table 6:

TABLE 6 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10012.41 ± 0.24  vs 11.10 ± 0.22  s 8.89 ± 0.17 m-s 6.89 ± 0.13 w 6.19 ±0.12 m 6.01 ± 0.12 w 5.56 ± 0.11 w 4.96 ± 0.10 w 4.67 ± 0.09 w 4.59 ±0.09 w 4.39 ± 0.09 w 4.12 ± 0.08 w 4.07 ± 0.08 w-m 3.92 ± 0.08 w-m 3.75± 0.07 w-m 3.57 ± 0.07 w 3.43 ± 0.07 s-vs 3.31 ± 0.06 w 3.21 ± 0.06 w3.12 ± 0.06 w 3.07 ± 0.06 w 2.83 ± 0.05 w 2.78 ± 0.05 w 2.69 ± 0.05 w2.47 ± 0.05 w 2.42 ± 0.05 w 2.38 ± 0.05 w

Embodiment 7

The method of embodiment 1, wherein said composition of said reactionmixture, in terms of mole ratios, is within the following ranges:

-   -   SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 25;    -   H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 30;    -   OH⁻/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.15;    -   M/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.15;    -   R/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.2;        wherein said as-synthesized MWW family molecular sieve material        has the X-ray diffraction pattern of as-synthesized MCM-56        molecular sieve shown in Table 7:

TABLE 7 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10012.4 ± 0.2  vs 9.9 ± 0.3 m 6.9 ± 0.1 w 6.4 ± 0.3 w 6.2 ± 0.1 w 3.57 ±0.07 m-s 3.44 ± 0.07 vs

Embodiment 8

The method of embodiment 7, wherein said as-synthesized MCM-56 molecularsieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperature of from about370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20 hoursto form a calcined MCM-56 molecular sieve having the X-ray diffractionpattern shown in Table 8:

TABLE 8 Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 10012.4 ± 0.2  vs 9.9 ± 0.3 m 6.9 ± 0.1 w 6.2 ± 0.1 w 3.55 ± 0.07 m-s 3.42± 0.07 vs

Embodiment 9

The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein said alkali or saidalkaline earth metal (M) cation is incorporated into the precipitatealuminosilicate.

Embodiment 10

The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein said reaction mixture ofstep (a) further comprises molecular sieve seed crystals in an amountfrom greater than or equal to 0.05 wt. % to less than or equal to 5 wt.%, or in an amount from greater than or equal to 1 wt. % to less than orequal to 3 wt. %, based on the dry weight of said molecular sieve seedcrystals divided by the sum of the dry weight of aluminum (Al) and thedry weight of silicon (Si) in said precipitated aluminosilicate.

Embodiment 11

The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein said structure-directingagent (R) is selected from the group consisting of cyclopentylamine,cyclohexylamine, cycloheptylamine, hexamethyleneimine (HMI),heptamethyleneimine, homopiperazine, and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 12

A process for converting feedstock comprising hydrocarbon compounds toconversion product which comprises contacting said feedstock athydrocarbon compound conversion conditions with a catalyst compositionmade by the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 11.

Embodiment 13

The process of embodiment 12, wherein said feedstock comprises analkylatable aromatic compound and an alkylating agent selected from thegroup consisting of olefins, alcohols, aldehydes, alkyl halides andcombinations thereof, and said hydrocarbon compound conversionconditions include a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 500° C., apressure from about 0.2 to about 250 atmospheres, a molar ratio ofalkylatable aromatic compound to alkylating agent of from about 0.1:1 toabout 50:1, and a feed weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) based on saidalkylating agent of from about 0.1 to 500 hr⁻¹.

Embodiment 14

The process of embodiment 13, wherein said alkylatable aromatic compoundis benzene, said olefin is ethylene, said conversion product comprisesethylbenzene, and said hydrocarbon compound conversion conditionsinclude a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 300° C., a pressureof from about 20 to about 55 atmospheres, a weight hourly space velocity(WHSV) based on said ethylene alkylating agent of from about 0.1 toabout 20 hr⁻¹, and a ratio of benzene to ethylene in a alkylationreactor of from about 0.5:1 to about 100:1 molar.

Embodiment 15

The process of embodiment 14, wherein said alkylatable aromatic compoundis benzene, said olefin is propylene, said conversion product comprisescumene, and said hydrocarbon compound conversion conditions include atemperature of up to about 250° C., a pressure of about 250 atmospheresor less, a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) based on propylenealkylating agent of from about 0.1 hr⁻¹ to about 250 hr⁻¹, and a ratioof benzene to propylene in a alkylation reactor of from about 0.5:1 toabout 100:1 molar.

Non-limiting examples of the invention are described with reference tothe following experiments. The crystallization time was to completecrystallization or a point when crystallization appeared to be completeor extremely slow. Unless otherwise specified, the reference to “Parts”is a reference to “parts on a molar basis.”

EXAMPLES

The formulations of the synthesis mixtures used in the Examples areprovided in Table 10, below, on a by Parts molar basis.

TABLE 10 Example Number 1 2 3 Comparative Comparative Comparative 4 5 67 8 (Molar (Molar (Molar (Molar (Molar (Molar (Molar (Molar ComponentParts) Parts) Parts) Parts) Parts) Parts) Parts) Parts) A H₂O 360 286229 370 294 234 234 366 B Na₂O 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2 C Al₂O₃1.0 1.0 1.0 D SiO₂ 19.0 19.0 19.1 (Sipernate 320) E PAS 19.5 19.5 19.519.5 19.4 F SDA 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.3 6.3 Molecular 1.0 1.0 1.02.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 Sieve Seeds (Wt. %)

The description and composition of the precipitated aluminosilicates(PAS) that were used in the Examples are set forth in Table 11, below.

TABLE 11 SiO₂/Al₂O₃ 19-21 (Molar Ratio) Na/SiO₂ 0.10-0.15 (Molar Ratio)

The PAS was prepared as described in European Patent No. Patent 0106552for a homogeneous phase compound of a granular amorphousaluminosilicate.

The procedures for preparation and crystallization of the reactionmixtures in Examples 1 to 3, wherein sodium aluminate was the aluminasource, were as follows. A mixture of solutions was made from A molarParts of water, B molar Parts of a 50 wt. % NaOH solution, and C Partsof a 45% sodium aluminate solution (22% Al₂O₃, 19.5% Na₂O), and solutionmixture was then charged to an autoclave reactor. This solution mixturewas agitated at 60 rpm for 1 to 24 hours at ambient temperature. Afterwhich, D Parts SiO₂ (Ultrasil-VN3PM-Modified also called Sipernate 320)was added as the silica source. Molecular sieve seeds (MCM-56) wereadded as a drycake. The autoclave reactor was sealed and pressuretested. Afterwards, F Parts of structure-directing agent (SDA) ashexamethyleneimine (HMI as 100% organic) were charged. The autoclavereactor was heated to 160° C. with stirring at 50 rpm and crystallizedlong enough to form MCM-56. After crystallization was confirmed viaX-ray diffraction (XRD), the autoclave reactor was cooled to 132° C.(270° F.) and SDA organics were removed. The reactor was cooled and theproduct discharged.

The procedures for preparation and crystallization of the synthesismixtures in Examples 4 to 8, wherein the PAS was the alumina source,were as follows. A solution made from A Parts of water, and B Parts ofNa₂O, was charged to an autoclave reactor. The solution was agitated at60 rpm for 1 to 24 hours at ambient temperature. After which, E Parts ofPAS from Source A or Source B was added. Molecular sieve seeds (MCM-56)were added as a drycake. The autoclave reactor was sealed and pressuretested. Afterwards, F Parts of structure-directing agent (SDA) ashexamethyleneimine (HMI as 100% organic) were charged. The autoclavereactor was heated to 160° C. with stirring at 50 rpm and crystallizedlong enough to form MCM-56. After crystallization was confirmed viaX-ray diffraction (XRD), the autoclave reactor was cooled to 132° C.(270° F.) and SDA organics were removed. The reactor was cooled and theproduct discharged.

The compositions in molar ratios of the synthesis mixtures whichresulted for the Examples are shown in Table 12, below.

TABLE 12 Example Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Composition ComparativeComparative Comparative (Molar (Molar (Molar (Molar (Molar (MolarRatios) (Molar Parts) (Molar Parts) (Molar Parts) Parts) Parts) Parts)Parts) Parts) SiO₂/Al₂O₃ 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 H₂O/SiO₂ 19 15 12 19 1512 12 19 OH⁻/SiO₂ 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.11 0.12 0.12 Na/SiO₂ 0.140.14 0.14 0.12 0.12 0.11 0.12 0.12 N/SiO₂ 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.12 0.120.12 0.33 Molecular 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 2.0 Sieve Seeds (Wt. %)

For the Examples, the crystallization time, temperature, stir rate andthe result of the XRD of samples thereof are shown in Table 13, below.FIGS. 1 to 8 show the X-ray diffraction patterns of the as-synthesizedMWW family molecular sieve material for Examples 1 to 8, respectively.

TABLE 13 Example Number Crystallization 1 2 3 Parameter ComparativeComparative Comparative 4 5 6 7 8 Time (hrs) 68 48 40 68 38 42 28 68Temp. (° C.) 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 Stir Rate (rpms) 250 250250 250 250 250 250 90 XRD Result MCM- MCM- MCM-56 MCM- MCM- MCM- MCM-MCM- for Product 56 56 Contaminated 56 56 56 56 49 with MCM-49

In Examples 1-7, the use of PAS in the MWW family molecular sievematerial synthesis of MCM-56 resulted in shorter crystallization timesand higher throughput via lower H₂O/SiO₂ ratio. As can be seen,crystallization times were reduced to less than about 40 hours. Also,the H₂O/SiO₂ ratio was decreased to below 14 while still synthesizingthe desired MCM-56 molecular sieve without appreciable impurity.Decreasing the H₂O/SiO₂ molar ratio in the formulations of the synthesismixtures improves throughput by increasing the yield per batch.Conventional precipitated silica (such as Ultrasil or Sipernate 320)requires the addition of an aluminum source which often contains sodium(Na), for example, sodium aluminate). Using sodium aluminate limits thelower boundary of Na/SiO₂ ratio to about 0.14, depending upon thecomposition of the aluminum source. The alternative aluminum sources(Al₂(SO₄)₃) are acidic in nature and in order to obtain the targetacidity, a substantial amount of NaOH is required. This further limitsthe lower boundary for sodium and does not allow one to obtain thetargeted lower OH/SiO₂ and Na/SiO₂ ratios.

Example 7 was a repeat of Example 6 in which 50 wt. % NaOH was added toincrease the Na/SiO₂ ratio to decrease crystallization time.

All patents, patent applications, test procedures, priority documents,articles, publications, manuals, and other documents cited herein arefully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is notinconsistent with this invention and for all jurisdictions in which suchincorporation is permitted.

When numerical lower limits and numerical upper limits are listedherein, ranges from any lower limit to any upper limit are contemplated.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedwith particularity, it will be understood that various othermodifications will be apparent to and may be readily made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claimsappended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forthherein but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all thefeatures of patentable novelty which reside in the present invention,including all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof bythose skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A process for converting feedstock comprisinghydrocarbon compounds to conversion product which comprises contactingsaid feedstock at hydrocarbon compound conversion conditions with acatalyst composition made by the method comprising the steps of: (a)preparing a solution comprising an alkali or an alkaline earth metal (M)cation and water, (b) preparing a precipitated aluminosilicatecomprising a combined source of both aluminum (Al) and silicon (Si),said precipitated aluminosilicate having a composition in terms of moleratios within the following ranges: SiO₂/Al₂O₃=10 to 600; (c) combiningsaid solution and said precipitated aluminosilicate to form a reactionmixture having a composition in terms of mole ratios within thefollowing ranges: H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 15; OH⁻/SiO₂=0.001 to 2; andM/SiO₂=0.001 to 2; (d) afterward adding an organic structure-directingagent (R) to said reaction mixture of step (c) so that it has acomposition of structure-directing agent (R) in terms of mole ratioswithin the range: R/SiO₂=0.001 to 0.5; (e) crystallizing said reactionmixture of step (d) under crystallization conditions of a temperature offrom about 90° C. to about 175° C. and a time for less than 90 hours toform a resulting mixture comprising crystals of said MWW familymolecular sieve material and less than about 10 wt. % of impuritycrystals having non-MWW framework structure based on the total weight ofsaid MWW family molecular sieve material in said reaction mixture, asidentified by X-ray diffraction; and (f) recovering at least a portionof said crystals of said MWW family molecular sieve material from saidresulting mixture of step(e) as an as-synthesized MWW family molecularsieve material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacingmaxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstroms. 26.The process of claim 25, wherein said as-synthesized MWW familymolecular sieve material is thermally treated by heating at atemperature of from about 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1minute to about 20 hours to form a calcined MWW family molecular sievematerial.
 27. The process of claim 25, wherein said composition of saidreaction mixture in terms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 50; H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 15; OH⁻/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.3; M/SiO₂=0.01to 0.3; R/SiO₂=0.01 to 0.5; wherein said as-synthesized MWW familymolecular sieve material has the X-ray diffraction pattern ofas-synthesized MCM-22 molecular sieve shown in Table 1: TABLE 1Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 100 13.53 ±0.2  m-vs 12.38 ± 0.2  m-vs 11.13 ± 0.2  w-s 9.15 ± 0.15 w-s 6.89 ± 0.15w-m 4.47 ± 0.1  w-m 3.95 ± 0.08 w-vs 3.56 ± 0.06 w-m 3.43 ± 0.06 m-vs3.36 ± 0.05 w-s Melissa


28. The process of claim 27, wherein said as-synthesized MCM-22molecular sieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperature of fromabout 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20hours to form a calcined MCM-22 molecular sieve having the X-raydiffraction pattern shown in Table 2: TABLE 2 Interplanar d-SpacingRelative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 100 30.0 ± 2.2 w-m 22.1 ± 1.3 w


29. The process of claim 25, wherein said composition of said reactionmixture in terms of mole ratios is within the following ranges:SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 35; H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 15; OH⁻/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.3; M/SiO₂=0.08to 0.3; R/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.35; wherein said as-synthesized MWW familymolecular sieve material has the X-ray diffraction pattern ofas-synthesized MCM-49 molecular sieve shown in Table 5: TABLE 5Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 100 13.15 ±0.26  w-s* 12.49 ± 0.24  vs 11.19 ± 0.22  m-s 6.43 ± 0.12 w 4.98 ± 0.10w 4.69 ± 0.09 w 3.44 ± 0.07 vs 3.24 ± 0.06 w *shoulder


30. The process of claim 29, wherein said as-synthesized MCM-49molecular sieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperature of fromabout 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20hours to form a calcined MCM-49 molecular sieve having the X-raydiffraction pattern shown in Table 6: TABLE 6 Interplanar d-SpacingRelative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 100 12.41 ± 0.24  vs 11.10 ± 0.22 s 8.89 ± 0.17 m-s 6.89 ± 0.13 w 6.19 ± 0.12 m 6.01 ± 0.12 w 5.56 ± 0.11w 4.96 ± 0.10 w 4.67 ± 0.09 w 4.59 ± 0.09 w 4.39 ± 0.09 w 4.12 ± 0.08 w4.07 ± 0.08 w-m 3.92 ± 0.08 w-m 3.75 ± 0.07 w-m 3.57 ± 0.07 w 3.43 ±0.07 s-vs 3.31 ± 0.06 w 3.21 ± 0.06 w 3.12 ± 0.06 w 3.07 ± 0.06 w 2.83 ±0.05 w 2.78 ± 0.05 w 2.69 ± 0.05 w 2.47 ± 0.05 w 2.42 ± 0.05 w 2.38 ±0.05 w


31. The process of claim 25, wherein said composition of said reactionmixture, in terms of mole ratios, is within the following ranges:SiO₂/Al₂O₃=15 to 25; H₂O/SiO₂=5 to 15; OH⁻/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.15;M/SiO₂=0.10 to 0.15; R/SiO₂=0.1 to 0.2; wherein said as-synthesized MWWfamily molecular sieve material has the X-ray diffraction pattern ofas-synthesized MCM-56 molecular sieve shown in Table 7: TABLE 7Interplanar d-Spacing Relative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 100 12.4 ±0.2  vs 9.9 ± 0.3 m 6.9 ± 0.1 w 6.4 ± 0.3 w 6.2 ± 0.1 w 3.57 ± 0.07 m-s3.44 ± 0.07 vs


32. The process of claim 30, wherein said as-synthesized MCM-56molecular sieve is thermally treated by heating at a temperature of fromabout 370° C. to about 925° C. for a time of from 1 minute to about 20hours to form a calcined MCM-56 molecular sieve having the X-raydiffraction pattern shown in Table 8: TABLE 8 Interplanar d-SpacingRelative Intensity (Angstroms) I/I₀ × 100 12.4 ± 0.2  vs 9.9 ± 0.3 m 6.9± 0.1 w 6.2 ± 0.1 w 3.55 ± 0.07 m-s 3.42 ± 0.07 vs


33. The process of claim 25, wherein said alkali or said alkaline earthmetal (M) cation is incorporated into the precipitated aluminosilicate.34. The process of claim 25, wherein said reaction mixture of step (a)further comprises molecular sieve seed crystals in an amount fromgreater than or equal to 0.05 wt. % to less than or equal to 5 wt. %,based on the dry weight of said molecular sieve seed crystals divided bythe sum of the dry weight of aluminum (Al) and the dry weight of silicon(Si) in said precipitated aluminosilicate.
 35. The process of claim 25,wherein said crystallization conditions of crystallizing step (e)include crystallizing said reaction mixture for said time of from about20 hours to about 75 hours.
 36. The process of claim 34, wherein saidmolecular sieve seed crystals exhibit the X-ray diffraction pattern foran MWW family molecular sieve material.
 37. The process of claim 36,wherein said MWW family molecular sieve material of said molecular sieveseed crystals is selected from the group consisting of MCM-22, MCM-36,MCM-49, MCM-56, ITQ-1, ITQ-2, ITQ-30, PSH-3, SSZ-25, ERB-1, EMM-10,EMM-10-P, EMM-11, EMM-12, EMM-13, UZM-8 and UZM-8HS.
 38. The process ofclaim 25, wherein said organic structure-directing agent (R) is selectedfrom the group consisting of cyclopentylamine, cyclohexylamine,cycloheptylamine, hexamethyleneimine (HMI), heptamethyleneimine,homopiperazine, and combinations thereof.
 39. The process of claim 25,wherein said M is sodium, and said R comprises hexamethyleneimine (HMI).40. The process of claim 25, wherein said impurity crystals havingnon-MWW framework structure is selected from the group consisting offerrierite, kenyaite and mixtures thereof.
 41. The process of claim 25,wherein said precipitated aluminosilicate is a granular amorphousaluminosilicate.
 42. The process of claim 25, wherein said precipitatedaluminosilicate is a precipitated sodium aluminosilicate.
 43. Theprocess of claim 25, wherein said feedstock comprises an alkylatablearomatic compound and an alkylating agent selected from the groupconsisting of olefins, alcohols, aldehydes, alkyl halides andcombinations thereof, and said hydrocarbon compound conversionconditions include a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 500° C., apressure from about 0.2 to about 250 atmospheres, a molar ratio ofalkylatable aromatic compound to alkylating agent of from about 0.1:1 toabout 50:1, and a feed weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) based on saidalkylating agent of from about 0.1 to 500 hr⁻¹.
 44. The process of claim43, wherein said alkylatable aromatic compound is benzene, said olefinis ethylene, said conversion product comprises ethylbenzene, and saidhydrocarbon compound conversion conditions include a temperature of fromabout 150° C. to about 300° C., a pressure of from about 20 to about 55atmospheres, a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) based on saidethylene alkylating agent of from about 0.1 to about 20 hr⁻¹, and aratio of benzene to ethylene in a alkylation reactor of from about 0.5:1to about 100:1 molar.
 45. The process of claim 43, wherein saidalkylatable aromatic compound is benzene, said olefin is propylene, saidconversion product comprises cumene, and said hydrocarbon compoundconversion conditions include a temperature of up to about 250° C., apressure of about 250 atmospheres or less, a weight hourly spacevelocity (WHSV) based on propylene alkylating agent of from about 0.1hr⁻¹ to about 250 hr⁻¹, and a ratio of benzene to propylene in aalkylation reactor of from about 0.5:1 to about 100:1 molar.